A major apartment development looks set to get the go- ahead for Belfast city centre. Plans by Cultra Development Ltd, are under way to build the 56-apartment development at Bridge End.

It’s based on a half acre site, bordered by Station Street and a railway line. It was once occupied by a petrol filling station but now sits vacant.

Belfast City Council’s planning department is recommending the residential development gets the green light, ahead of tonight’s committee meeting.

The building will also feature 37 basement-level car park spaces, along with 58 cycle spaces.

The project has been in the works for some time, with an initial planning application for the building granted permission in 2010.

But that approval has now expired.

In support of the application, a planning document says that as part of Belfast City Centre Regeneration and Investment Strategy “Belfast has a low overall city centre residential population in comparison to other cities”.

“This document recognises that a significant residential population is highly important for the successful functioning of a city centre,” it said.

“Within this context the principle of residential use at this location is acceptable.”

And it says the “form and height of the building establishes a built form that is considered to be appropriate”.